This year, Congress, under Democratic leadership, commendably set out with the goal to suspend the practice of "Pork Barrel" spending for a year. Unfortunately, this proposal appears to have been killed by politicians from both parties.
Some Arizona members of Congress, however, have decided to make the principled decision not to ask for any earmark dollars for their home districts and state. Congressmen John Shadegg(R), Jeff Flake(R), and Sen. John McCain(R) all "failed" to bring home the bacon, to the chagrin of two other members of Arizona's Congressional delegation. Representatives Raul Grijalva(D), and Ed Pastor (D),both chided the three Republicans, with statements like:
Grijalva: "We have members of our delegation who feel their job is not to bring equitable resources back to the state. The fact remains we are shortchanging our taxpayers by not bringing more resources into the state."*
Pastor: "All the money Arizona doesn't take goes to Alaska" *
While the three Republicans base their decisions based on responsible economic principles, their detractors justify profligate Congressional spending by prescribing to an idea enunciated by that def economist Snoop Dogg: "You gotta get yours before I gotta get mine."
This is exactly what is wrong with politicians on both sides of the aisles in the Capitol. At a time when America is fighting wars in two countries, is financing large entitlement programs for the elderly and infirm, and providing a record amount aid to Africa, both parties refuse to cut out pet projects, even for a year.
In a sense, Grijalva is wrong and Pastor is right. Sorry, Rep. Grijalva, but Arizona receives $1.19* in Federal funds for every dollar in taxes Arizonans send to Washington. To Rep. Pastor's credit, Alaska, ( a traditionally Republican state), does indeed receive $506.34* in earmarks for every Alaskan, while we Arizonans must make due with $18.70* a head. True political principle is a rare commodity nowadays. It is something American voters seem to be yearning for. It's just sad that Grijalva and Pastor are too jaded to recognize leadership when it is staring them in the face.
*Source: Arizona Republic article: "AZ last in pork barrel cash, lawmakers say it's a waste"
5 comments:
Cool to see you focusing your political knowledge and writing ability on something so auspicious...
I am curious to see what you think of this.
;)
You should advertise yourself on forums and other related blogs to gain some readers.
Best of luck,
-Zachary
Kevin,
I'm just going to leave a short comment here to make sure that it will go through. If I manage to do that, I'll write more extensively very soon.
I really liked the pork-barrel essay--generally balanced (although you sort of make it look like Democrats as a whole love pork and Republicans do not), and I quite agree with your sentiments. We do need to do something about it; but I don't think the vast majority of people in Congress have the moral courage to do the right thing when it comes to appropriations for their own districts/states.
I hope this goes through!
Keith
Cool! My first successful blog! I da man.
Keith
Zach, the graph is awesome!. Thr Republicans had a golden opportunity from '01 to '06 to practice what we preach and fiscally, we blew it. It is no surprise we lost Congress (perhaps for the best).
Dad,
As far as Arizona is concerned, no Dems abstained from earmarks. I cannot make a sweeping charge against Dems nationally, as Nancy Pelosi was pushing real hard for the moratorium. For the record, the three worst pork barrelers in Congress are...REPUBLICANS!. For shame.Really.
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